Foldable table



Nov. l, 1932 w. c. COLLIGNON FOLDABLE TABLE Filed Feb. 1l. 192B 1/ i l fag/@qw Ein Fr11T 8 26 WUI Patented Nov. 1, 1932 WILLIAM c. ooLLIGNonoF CHICAGO, innIivoisYV Lass asics; f

FOLDIABLE TABLE:

Application led Februaryll, 1928;Y Serial No. 253,616.`

Vrlhis invention relates to foldable tables and the like and more particularly to tables and similar articles offurniture which are foldable or collapsible into compact form for 51easy transportation orsothat they may occupy a minimum space. Y l

In the past, devices of this typehave proven objectionable in many instances in that they were not sufficiently large to adequately accommodate a relatively large group of persons, and when folded, would leave projecting parts which were a fruitful cause of inconvenience and veXatious delays. Moreover, formerly known devices 1n most cases were not foldable into as compact a form as Y desired for ready and easy transportation or packing on the running board, or over the robe rail of avehicle or other suitable places.

In addition, aftery comparatively short usage,

Vthese heretofore known types, when assembled, did notpossess as suiiicient rigidity as desired in most cases.

This inventionlhas been designed to overcome the above noted defects and'ob-iections in the provision of a foldable table or similar v article which is adaptedupon folding to as-V sume anexceedingly compact form, leaving substantially no projecting parts or elements.

The invention also seeks to providel aY device of the character described herein which when adjusted to a position for use, is suiiiciently large to accommodate a.' relatively large number of persons, andwhich in spite of its adequate'size, is very easily set up or knocked down. d

A further object of this invention is to provide la device of the character described which is adequately braced throughout and when ladjusted for use, possesses ahigh degree of inherent rigidity which is not lessened in any degreeby repeated use of the device.

While some of the more salient features,

characteristics and advantages of the device f embodying the `present invention have been 'above set forth, others will Vbecome apparent from the following disclosures.

The invention includes these and other features of construction and combination of parts, hereinafter describedand shown in a a` table or the like.

preferred form in the drawing, as` morepar.-

-ticularlyindicatedv by theclaims.

On the drawing: y y Figure 1 is a view in elevation of the device embodying principles of the present invention, shown'adjusted to a position for use as Figure 2 is a bottomplan view of the `de-V vice, showing the supporting vand bracing means therefor in folded position. Y Figure 3 isra vertical sectional viewtaken substantially along line .III-III of :Figure 1. l f

Figure 4f isa vertical sectional View taken substantially along line IV-V of Figure2,

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary detail view of a portion of the bracing means. for the device. v i ,l Af

Figure'G is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, showingthe connection for the sectionsfor the top of the device. v Figure 7 is an elevational view.' of the device in folded position.

As shown on the drawing: d l v n the illustrated'embodiment lofthis inl vention there is shown afoldable table,but it is tobe noted that many and other varied uses or devices may be adopted or formed embodying features of the presentinvention', asv will become apparent to vone lskilled'in'th'e artfo without departing from the spirit and scope of` the invention. For example, seats or benches may be formed with similar construction.

The table as shown in the presentA embodi ment comprises apair of top sections 1 and 2 Arespectively hingedly connected by relatively extended hinges. zThe hinges in this instance have i downwardly and vobliquely exs tended portions thereon as indicatedlat .,4 (Figure 6) sothat when the top. sec'tiQIflS.v 1 and 2 are folded they will be in spaced Ajuntaposed relationship as indicated bythe dotted lines in Figure 6, fora purpose to be disclosed hereinafter. It is to be noted also that-the hinges 3 are so constructed that theradjfa-cent edges thereof, when in the position'shown in Y Figures 1 and 6, abuteach other in their entirety as indicated at fwhereby'thesections -sirable and adequate means.

are given substantially the rigidity of a single piece. Y Y

Since the under structures of the sections l and 2 are each identical, except for their opposite disposition, only one set need herein be described. A pair of spaced legs 6 joined at their vupper endsby a strip or yoke 7 are hinged on the under side of each of the sections 1 and 2 as indicated at 8. rIo obtain adequate stability and rigidity, the legs 6 are also connected adjacent their outer portions by a second cross member 9. When the legs are swung'to their upright position, their upper edges and the yoke 7 preferably abut the under portion of the top section to which they are secured.

Unitary Vmulti-armedy bracing means are provided for each pair of legs and top section and comprise in this instance a pair of brace Vrods 10 pivotally connected at their lower eX- tremities as indicated at 11 to the inner surface of the legs 6. At their upper ends, the rods 10 are pivoted as at 12 to a plurality, in 'this instance three,'of.similar brace rods 13.

At their opposite ends, the brace rods 13 are suitably pivoted to angle irons 14 or any dei It is to be noted that the brace rods 13 diverge from each other and the angular members 14 are disposed in spaced relationship so that the top section is braced at a pluralityof points thereacross, which taken together with the fact that the yokes 7 abut the under surfaces of the top sections, and the adjacent edges of the top Vsection hinges abut each other, provides adequate rigidity and stability for the device as a whole. It is to be further noted that the angle members 14 are coplanar, or in alignment, as are thepivot points of the brace rods 10. 5 As clearly shown in Figure 2, when the legs are folded, the brace rods are entirely dis posed between the legs, the rods 10 being of .sufficient outward inclination toassume positions on either sidev of the vrods 13 whereby when folded, all the rods will be in coplanar relationship.

.l To prevent any inadvertent or undesirable `collapsing of the table when in its useful position, means are provided to maintainthe brace rods in their stiffevned position until manually released. The means comprise in fj this instance a laterally projecting pin 15 car- 1 ried either by the rods 13 or 10, as shown by tion.

rods 13, and engageable within recesses 16 provided in the other group of brace rods, as

shown in rods 10. Also to prevent inadvertent tipping of the topV sections, a pivotal` Vhook-like member 17 is pivoted to the under side of one Vof the top sections and engages over the buttonV or lug 18.0n-the opposite sec- In Figure 7 the device is shown in its com'- 4pact form and it is ito be noted that when so folded, no'portion of the under structure projects in anypdirection beyond the edges of Vmay be folded into extremely compact form,

and which is durable,.and economical to manufacture.

I am aware that many changes, may be made, `and numerous details of construction maybe varied through a wide range Without departing from the principles vof thisinven- `tion ,'and I therefore do not purpose limiting theV patent granted hereon, otherwise than necessitated by the prior art. i

I claim as my invention: t

1. A foldable table comprising a table top -of two halves in end to end rela-tion when the table is opened for use, hinges on the underside ofthe table connecting the two halves providingY oppositely directed inclinedbrac'- ing members and opposed abutting surfaces at the center ofthe table, foldable supports at each end of the table, each support comprising apair of spaced legs and a yoke-connecting theI 'upper ends of the legs, said yoke abutting the underside of the ktable vwhen the .table is in use, bracing-means for the supportscomprising a set of inclined members hinged on the underside of the table and converging toa common pivotal connection and another set Yof Ainclined members pivotally Jconnected to the legs and converging to' and -connected tothe pivotal point common to the first named set of inclined members, the two Y sets of inclined members being movable'to lie ,in a common plane between the legs when the legs `are folded, the two halvesof the table being foldable to aposition with the undervsides of the halves in spaced opposed relation to each other, the pivot point .of the central hinges being spaced from the table top substantially the'thickness of the legs. Y

2. A foldable table comprising a tabletop i 'of two halves in end to end relation when the table is opened for use, hingeson the underside of the table'connecting the twov halves providing oppositely YdirectedV inclined bracing members and opposed abutting surfaces at the center of the table, foldable supports at each end of thetable, each support comprisinga pair of spaced legs and a yokeconnecting the upper ends of the legs, said yoke abutting the underside of the table when the table is in use, bracing means for thefsupports comprising a set of members hinged on the underside-of the table at oneend and connecjted to a-common pivot at the other end,

another set of members pivotally connected to the legs at one end and connected to the pivot common to the first set of members at the other end, the two sets of members being movable to lie in a common plane between the lees when the legs are folded, the two halves` o the table being foldable to a position with the undersides of the halves in spaced op= I posed relation'to each other, the pvot point Illinois. l o

of the central hingesbeing spaced from the table top substantially the thickness of the legs. I

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Chicago, Cook county,

WILLIAM o. COLLIGNON. 

